Second Life Content

Presentation from the 2007 NMC Symposium on Evolution of Communication

As the landscape of technology changes daily and new information is created, distributed, mashed up, and distributed again and again...the nature of how we communicate citations is becoming confused. While the Creative Commons license and the trend of public domain publishing exists, there are no intuitive ways to cite within virtual worlds, and governing bodies like the MLA and the APA have not provided directions to cite from virtual world documents (notecards, text chat, object text, and scripts). This lack of communication is frustrating to academics and students using virtual worlds for education and research.

Presentation from the 2007 NMC Symposium on Evolution of Communication

This session will consider notions of openness and closure in relation to institutional use of 3D MUVEs and web access more broadly. While the virtual world is embracing user created content and peer driven community, many institutional settings are debating issues of liability, control, resources, and access. Many sites that are used to scaffold awareness, support immersion and underpin successful use of 3D platforms are blocked or deemed a threat to organisational IP, web security and copyright.

Presentation from the 2007 NMC Symposium on Evolution of Communication

When reading literary texts, students must make interpretive choices that often affect their understanding of the material. Objects and symbols used by the author aid not only in reading comprehension by the formation of mental models, but also provide new and interesting entry points for collaborative interpretation. This session will focus on how virtual worlds can be used to redefine the analysis of the interpretation of text in ways not possible through discussion or print.

Presentation from the 2007 NMC Symposium on Evolution of Communication

The American Heritage Dictionary lists one definition of the word, "friend," as, "A person whom one knows, likes, and trusts." This session explores the ways in which modern communication technologies enable people to come to know, like, and trust one another, independently of in-person interaction, and if such friendships are inherently different from friendships based on face-to-face contact.

Presentation from the 2007 NMC Symposium on Evolution of Communication

Traditional approaches to rhetoric need to be updated to respond to the increasing number of communication tools and the increasing importance of effective communication in networked environments. The application of basic concepts from evolutionary biology has potential for helping people make more effective decisions about tools, environment, and delivery. Criteria for reproductive success such as longevity, fecundity, and fidelity can be used to analyze communication goals to promote the survival and dispersion of ideas.

Presentation from the 2007 NMC Symposium on Evolution of Communication

In September 2007, a couple made headlines when they met online in a chat room; they had no idea that they were already married – to each other. This presentation will explore how Second Life has changed the way we interact, date, and romantically engage (or not) online in virtual settings, launching off media reports and “social” research. This presentation focuses on the virtual aspect of “communication” and veers away from much more adult considerations (wink).

Presentation from the 2007 NMC Symposium on Evolution of Communication

The 1337 are taking over the Internet! Or did they define it when we were not looking? Discover how this form of communication permeates today's web and Second Life cultures. This is an interactive session and includes a trivia game.